American and European Masterworks featured in Vallot Auctioneers’ September 19 auction
Aug. 24, 2004
NEW YORK - Several American and European paintings and drawings rarely seen in the art market feature prominently in Vallot Auctioneers’ Sept. 19 auction, with real-time Internet bidding provided by LiveAuctioneers.com.
Among the lots meriting special attention are an Athenaeum-type portrait of George Washington, attributed to Gilbert Stuart ($8,000-12,000) followed by a portrait of Martha Washington, after Charles Wilson Peale ($4,000-6,000). The two portraits had been hung side by side for decades, then stored away. Auctioneer Michael Dym found the portraits in a Connecticut home crated and wedged behind a bureau in an unused study. “Works of this quality are rare, and when that dusty crate was opened my heart raced,” Dym remarked.
A rare 18th century drawing of Cain and Abel by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo ($18,000-22,000) is among several important European works in the sale. The drawing depicts God in a cloud flanked by two putti, gesturing with his left hand to Cain. Abel lies behind Cain on the ground next to the murder weapon. Cain shields his eyes from a burst of light emanating from the lower left of the image. This powerful drawing was formerly in the collection of Wilhelm von Koenig, the early 20th century Viennese banker. Koenig most likely acquired this work from the Ludwig Zatka collection.
Nineteenth century European highlights in the sale include a strongly composed and humorous depiction of gypsy card players by accomplished 19th century French painter Eugene Modeste-Edmond Lepoittevin. “Last publicly exhibited in Manhattan in the 1970s, this painting has been in a private collection for the past three decades,” said Dym. The painting depicts two Spanish gypsies in a busy open-air marketplace, enjoying a game of cards while relaxing on bags of tobacco. It carries a presale estimate of $6,000-8,000. A monumental Demetrius H. Chiparus bronze and ivory sculpture of Dante carries a pre-sale estimate of $18,000-28,000.
Among the numerous American works in the sale is a painting by American tonalist Charles Warren Eaton ($1,800-2,400). Depicted is a Gothic church (St. Jean) at night, rendered in glowing tones of blue, green and purple; with five shadowy figures approaching a doorway that burns with a deep orange and yellow light. The image is framed by Eaton’s masterful rendering of pine and broadleaf trees in the foreground. The painting as a whole evokes a mysterious and peaceful place and time.
Other American works fresh to the market are two masterworks by Rockport Massachusetts’ artist Antonio Cirino: “ A New England Lane” ($8,000-12,000) and “Nature’s Holiness” ($6,000-8,000). Both paintings were bequeathed by Cirino to the Salmagundi Museum. “It was a tough decision by the Salmagundi trustees. Funds are needed to help with building restoration, and Cirino had intended Salmagundi to use these works for this purpose,” Dym explained. Also deaccessioned by Salmagundi Museum is a major seascape by noted American Impressionist Paul King ($8,000-12,000).
Prior to the sale, the illustrated catalog may be viewed online, and bids lodged either absentee or live via the Internet, at www.liveauctioneers.com.
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